“When the great Tao is forgotten,goodness and piety appear.When the body's intelligence declines,cleverness and knowledge step forth.When there is no peace in the family,filial piety begins.When the country falls into chaos,patriotism is born.”
“When men lost their understanding of the Tao, intelligence came along, bringing hypocrisy with it.”
“When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue.”
“The great Tao (or way) is very level and easy; but people love the by-ways.”
“When the highest type of men hear Tao,They diligently practice it.When the average type of men hear Tao,They half believe in it.When the lowest type of men hear Tao,They laugh heartily at it.Without the laugh, there is no Tao”
“Whoever is planted in the Taowill not be rooted up.Whoever embraces the Taowill not slip away.Her name will be held in honorfrom generation to generation.Let the Tao be present in your lifeand you will become genuine.Let it be Present in your familyand your family will flourish.Let it be present in your countryand your country will be an example to all countries in the world.Let it be present in the universeand the universe will sing.How do I know this is true?by looking inside myself.”
“The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.”